EFH: Food Allergy Policy

Policy

This policy aims to establish a safe environment for students with food allergies and support parents regarding food allergy management.  Under state law, it is the policy of the Board to provide all students, through necessary accommodations where required, the opportunity to participate fully in all school programs and activities.

The Board takes food allergies seriously and understands that food allergies can be life-threatening.  Recognizing that the risk of accidental exposure to foods can be reduced in the school setting, the District is committed to minimizing risks and providing a safe, educational environment for food-allergic students.  Under State and Federal law, The District offers reasonable accommodation for students with dietary needs that qualify as disabilities.

The District provides substitutions to regular school meals for students who cannot eat regular meals due to a qualifying dietary need. The student's physician must certify the need in writing. The District offers substitute meals in the most integrated setting appropriate to the student's particular need.

The nature of the student's qualifying dietary need, the reason this need prevents the student from eating regular school meals (including foods to be omitted from the student's diet), the specific diet prescription, and the needed substitution must be stated explicitly in the physician's statement.  In compliance with the USDA Child Nutrition Division guidelines, the District provides substitute meals to food-allergic students based upon the physician's signed statement.

The administration consults with parents, school nurses and other school employees, school volunteers, students, and community members to develop and implement a food allergy plan.  The plan includes, but is not limited to, schoolwide training programs regarding food allergy education, staff development regarding food allergy identification and management, strategies for identifying students with life-threatening food allergies, and management skills including avoidance measures, designation of typical symptoms, and dosing instructions for medications.

History

• Adopted: June 24, 2014
• Amended: March 29, 2022

Legal References

• Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act; Pub. L. No. 108-265 (Title I, Section 204), 118 Stat. 729 National School Lunch Act
• United States Code Title 42, Chapter 13, Section 1751 et seq.
• Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (United States Code, Chapter 42, Chapter 13A, Section 1771 et seq.)
• Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (United States Code, Chapter 42, Chapter 126, Section 12101 et seq.)
• Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (United States Code, Title 29, Chapter 16, Subchapter V, Section 794)
• Ohio Revised Code Section 3313.719
• Ohio Revised Code Section 3313.81
• Ohio Revised Code Section 3313.812
• Ohio Revised Code Section 3313.813
• Ohio Revised Code Section 3314.03
• Ohio Revised Code Section 3326.11
• Ohio Administrative Code 3301-91-01
• Ohio Administrative Code 3301-91-02
• Ohio Administrative Code 3301-91-03
• Ohio Administrative Code 3301-91-04
• Ohio Administrative Code 3301-91-07
• Ohio Administrative Code 3301-91-08
• Ohio Administrative Code 3301-91-09